AMG’s future electric halo model in NZ crash?
/Mercedes’ performance sub-brand is readying the GT XX for release in 2026 and was running a secretive NZ programme last month incident occurred.
IMMEDIATELY in wake of international uncovering of a concept of an impending wild AMG electric car, an engineer for the Mercedes performance sub-brand has appeared in a New Zealand court in regard to crashing a prototype of the same ilk.
A report today in the Otago Daily Times newspaper describes how, on June 21, “a test sports car” went into another vehicle on the Crown Range Road, causing injury to the other motorists.
This winding road between Queenstown and Wanaka also accesses the Snow Farm, a public-excluded cold weather testing facility heavily used by the world’s car makers at this time of the year.
The newspaper says the car driven by Marcus Foerderung, 30, was a “concept sports vehicle” — fitted with a trade plate — “believed to be an unreleased Mercedes AMG EV coupe.”
In coverage of Foerderung’s appearance in Queenstown district court yesterday, it said the car was one of several test vehicles at the scene, all of which were camouflaged and covered following the 9.20am incident.
Last weekend detail and photos of the Mercedes-AMG GT XX, which is of highly similar description, went global.
The car was shown as a styling study but the look has been accepted as providing a very clear indicator of a production halo model set to arrive next year.
The impending product is riding on the new AMG.EA architecture that promises huge power - one report talks of it having Bugatti-humbling acceleration and a top speed more than three times the NZ national limit.
The model is a technology leap for its drivetrain - the battery design and the motors are all in first-use use application with this car.
The all-wheel-drive powertrain uses three electric motors, two in the rear and one in the front, of groundbreaking design.
It’s the first use of Axial Flux disc-shaped e-motors that weigh just 24kg each and produce up to 358kW and 800Nm.
Total output sits at 1000 kiloWatts, which tops the most powerful Porsche Taycan, the 813kW Turbo GT.
The car is the first Mercedes electric on a 800 volt architecture and will also introduce new battery technology.
AMG emphasises the tall, thin battery cells that make up the pack and promises that the special cooling system allows for highly repeatable performance.
AMG isn't yet making claims about 0-100kmh acceleration but does project a top speed of 358 kilometres per hour.
Foerderung wasn’t driving at anything remotely close to the XX’s optimal pace when his accident occurred.
According to the police summary of facts, Foerderung was not involved in official testing when he was driving up the Crown Range "zig-zags", which has a recommended speed limit of 15kmh.
While weather conditions were fine and visibility was clear, the road surface was wet.
After navigating a right-hand switchback, Foerderung accelerated to an estimated speed of 60kmh, with a distance of about 130m before the next switchback, the summary said.
“The defendant failed to brake sufficiently for the corner, crossing the centre line.”
At the same time, an oncoming Subaru Outback in which three people - a local father and his teenaged daughters - were travelling was navigating the switchback in the opposing lane.
Foerderung’s vehicle collided with the driver’s side of the Subaru, the impact shunting that car sideways off the road, pinning the passenger side of the vehicle against the wooden crash barrier.
The victims got out by climbing through windows. All sustained injuries, from mild concussion to chipped teeth, plus contusions and sprains.
The summary said the German national admitted the facts and stated he believed he had further to the next corner from previous experience driving the road.
His lawyer told the court Foerderung had never been in court before, was incredibly remorseful about the events and had been in regular touch with the affected NZ family to receive updates on their medical injuries.
Judge Tim Black convicted Foerderung and ordered him to pay $1643.96 reparation for vehicle insurance fees, medical assessments and treatments including X-rays, dental fillings and physiotherapy, and a total of $750 emotional harm reparation. The full amount had to be paid before he left NZ yesterday afternoon.
He was also disqualified from driving for six months.
An online search suggests Foerderung is employed by AMG as an ‘entwicklungsingenieur’, which in English translates as a development engineer primarily involved in the development and implementation of new technical products, machines, or systems.